The May 2007 Sidereal Times
The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society P.O. Box 50581, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87181-0581 www.taas.org 505/254-TAAS(8227) In Praise of Trailblazers— Road Funding 75% Complete
by Karen Keese
Thanks to the unqualified success of our recent members’ matching fund drive, the Mesa Road Committee is considerably closer to its goal of funding and building a new route to the observatory. A generous $500 contribution from Complex Systems Research Inc. (Steve Welch and Penelope Boston, officers) was quickly matched by TAAS members, allowing us to add over $1,000 to the project coffers. Dave Finley, Shannon Mann, Dee Friesen, Bruce Levin, Larry Cash, Gordon Pegue, Sy Santos, We salute these trailblazers for their and Melissa Kirk at Cosmic Carnival. Bruce Levin’s refractor is in the background. Photo by ??? generosity and community spirit. The “Trailblazers Hall of Fame” includes: Cosmic Carnival Unfolds Under the Heavens by Melissa Kirk Debra and John Chase Bob Hufnagel Star shaped cushions, a star mascot, decorated signs, photographs, and a Pluto Anonymous ball adorned the Cosmic Carnival float at the Fiestas de Albuquerque Parade on Pete Eschman Saturday, April 21. The parade commenced on Bellamah Avenue and traversed Bob Kyrlach through Albuquerque Old Town, with onlookers and exhibitors exchanging cheers. Ralph Thorman The Cosmic Carnival was held at Tiguex Park. Exhibitors and patrons braved the Patricia Rose cold, windy weather to participate in hands-on activities, demonstrations, and Ernie Reaves free raffles. Stubby, a red and blue rocket of the Albuquerque Rocket Society, Anonymous lay under the mostly cloudy sky. The National Atomic Museum had exhibits James Rickey demonstrating current and radiation. Children reveled in plastic inflatable play sets.
Through a combination of contributions TAAS members performed a variety of activities, including decorating the Cosmic from mesa landowners, the TAAS Carnival float and riding in the parade. Several TAAS members pointed their treasury, and individual TAAS telescopes, and along with patrons, made brief observations of the Sun through members, the road-building project is patches of clear sky. Observers enjoyed the fleeting views even though no sunspots now approximately 75% funded. Work were visible. TAAS also had a booth set up within a tent, where associates handed is expected to begin this spring or out informational pamphlets to visitors. summer when soil moisture content is continued on page 8 continued on page 4 INSIDE
2....General Meeting News 5....TAAS Reports and Notices 8....Officers Meeting Minutes 3....GNTO News & Views 6....Calendars 10....Advertising 4....SIG Reports 6....Educational Outreach 11....TAAS Directors & Staff The Sidereal Times May 2007
General Meeting and Program News Judy Stanley
Howdy Astronomy Fans; here’s the latest NEWS in southeastern New Mexico. All astronomers are from your Vice President... welcome, and camping fees are waived for Friday and Saturday nights for the first ten astronomers March 20, TAAS participated in a special school star who register. Participating astronomers must bring party at Georgia O’Keefe Elementary School. I was their own telescopes and be willing to set them up in charge of the Starlab shows. Tom Davies and Bella for public viewing on Friday and Saturday night. To Newfield assisted me. We did ten, 15-minute Starlab register, call Shane Phipps at Brantley Lake State Park presentations for close to 300 very enthusiastic and at (505) 457-2384 beginning May 14.Contact persons: grateful participants! The school’s organizing team, Kathryn Jones (505) 887-5516 kathryn.jones@state. including Nannette Vigil and J.T. Scheinder, were very nm.us or Shane Phipps (505) 457-2384 shane.phipps@ accommodating resulting in a smooth operation. For state.nm.us. those of you who would like to learn to operate the Starlab Portable Planetarium please contact me. Pie in the Sky Star Festival June 15–17 at Jackson Park in Pie Town, New Mexico. VERY DARK The Space Exploration Conference 2007 was SKIES…rustic camping, awesome folks, and of another TAAS outreach event that can be classified course amazing pie! Contact Michael Robinson at as a smashing success! Bruce Levin and Dale Murray (505) 772-2526 [email protected]. each did a short talk for over 80 excited participants. Alan Hale was the last speaker of the evening. Alan The May 5 TAAS General Meeting will feature Dr. explained his Earthrise Institute and Countdown to T. Justin Bronder. 500 Comets programs. Very Cool! Title – “Supernovae and Revolutions in Astronomy- A Historic and Personal Journey” Do check out Alan’s Earthrise Institute at www. earthriseinstitute.org Alan extends the invitation to Abstract – This entertaining talk follows the story all astronomers to join him in his quest to observe of how observations of distant exploding stars-called 500 Comets, hence the program, “Countdown to “supernovae”-have changed our understanding of 500 Comets.” At the time of this writing Alan is the universe. The tale introduces the science of these up to 405 comets. He posts his observations on the magnificent explosions as well as the fascinating Earthrise Web site and invites everyone to send him personalities and discoveries of some of history’s their observations as well. I am adding information most famous astronomers. From the first observations concerning this program to our TAAS school star of Galileo and Kepler, through the ground-breaking party outreach. Be a part of the fun by joining Alan in work of Einstein and Hubble, on to today’s scientific the excitement and discovery; check out the Web site celebrities, such as Stephen Hawking and Jocelyn today! Bell Burnell, the history of supernovae is sure to educate and amuse. The speaker’s own experiences Astronomy Program Directors from all over New with these “star” astronomers will add a personal Mexico have contacted me about their upcoming star touch to this scientific story. parties. Check this out: The Speaker: First Lieutenant T. Justin Bronder was Desert Starlight Astronomy Weekend at Brantley commissioned in the U.S. Air Force after graduating Lake State Park. Brantley Lake State Park will be with distinction from the USAF Academy in 2003. hosting its fourth annual Desert Starlight Astronomy He earned the first Alberta-Bart Holaday Scholarship Weekend on Friday, June 15, and Saturday, June 16. from the Academy and studied at Oxford University’s The park offers dark desert skies and wonderful camping facilities along the shores of Brantley Lake continued on page 8
Page The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times May 2007
GNTO News & Views Peter Eschman
As I indicated last month, we are conducting a fundraising Colorado, stayed the night, and I’m told she observed all drive to improve road conditions on the route to GNTO. but 3 from the complete marathon using sky charts and TAAS is making a $500 one-time contribution and a 6” Edmund Scientific telescope made in 1957! will contribute $200 in future years for annual road maintenance. Mesa area residents are making similar In the Digital Setting Circles category we have three contributions, and TAAS members are encouraged to reports. Sy Santos completed the half marathon list, help with individual donations. The road work will be observing all 55 Messiers on the list using her Orion done by a professional contractor using heavy equipment. Intelliscope for pointing assistance. She said she had Once completed, we will have a much smoother drive to a blast! Dan Clark also used Barry’s half marathon list GNTO, and a roadway that is easier to maintain. Please but did not see the first item on the list. Dan did see send your contributions to Karen Keese, following the another 5 Messier objects from the second half marathon instructions in her article elsewhere in this newsletter. list. Ed Kist managed to find 68 Messier objects from the I’ve sent my check to Karen. Have you? full marathon list before the clouds rolled in. Like Dan Clark, Ed took advantage of his Argo Navis for pointing Our GNTO Spring Messier Marathon was March 17. assistance. This event was very well attended with over 45 people at GNTO and around 30 telescopes in operation. I reported In the GoTo scope category, Tom Davies used his ETX125 many details about this event in last month’s newsletter Meade GoTo scope and completed Barry’s half marathon. article. As promised, here is the summary of the Messier Tom said the first time through the list he had trouble Marathon results. There are four categories: Telrad Only, seeing the galaxies, so he went back through the galaxies Charts and Telrad, Digital Setting Circles, and GoTo after it got a bit darker. Tom said he missed the last item Scopes. on the list, which was not high enough before he and Eric Edwards left. In the Telrad Only category, John Laning found 79 Messier objects at GNTO using his 17.5” Dob, and 29 Although not related to the Messier Marathon, Becky more Messier objects before 6 a.m. using his 10” SCT Ramotowski reported that she was in Texas having from home. John reported that M30 and M55 were a great time wearing her eyes out looking at dim 15th behind trees at his house. He spent 15 minutes finding magnitude flea-speck galaxies in the Beehive. M72 and M73 because they were so dim. John reports that he located all objects from memory, and did not use Our most recent “New Moon” observing event was on any charts. April 14 at GNTO. Attendance was a bit lighter than expected, given the excellent sky conditions. Those there Five people reported in the Charts and Telrad category. were a dedicated group, however, and we had 11 telescopes Barry Spletzer did his 55-object half marathon using a in operation. Of the 11 scopes, three GNTO scopes were single, albeit large, paper chart and his custom protractors. running, including the Isengard 16, the Jim Lawrence 16” Barry left before 11:00 p.m. and had a great time. He said loaner, and our C11/Losmandy Gemini system equipped he will find it hard to ever do a full marathon again, with our SBIG ST-9 CCD camera operated by Steve Welch. since the half marathon lets him have a fine evening of We had well over twenty people at GNTO, including five observing, with no need to imagine galaxies in twilight, Cub Scouts and their parents. Thanks to Dale Murray complete his list, AND get a good night’s sleep back at for opening the facility and serving as Isengard host for home. the first part of the event.
Eric Edwards completed Barry’s half marathon, and he In the early evening, Steve Welch and Bill Wallace counted M45 instead of the last object on Barry’s list. He attempted to make a video recording as asteroid 494 said he had a wonderful time. Gordon Pegue observed Virtus occulted a background star. The plan was to the first 68 objects on the full list before the clouds rolled use Steve’s video camera in place of an eyepiece on the in. He located 41 of them from memory and used charts Isengard. Early evening twilight and new equipment and Telrad to get the other 27 objects. Dee Friesen was shakedown glitches made it difficult to locate the target able to get the first 70 on the full marathon list before the star. Unfortunately, these conditions conspired and the clouds. Dee said that on his way home he enjoyed a stop correct star field was not located until a few minutes after at the diner near the Interstate. Lisa Judd, our guest from the predicted occultation. Measuring continued on page 9
Page The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times May 2007 Asteroid SIG Dark Sky SIG Bill Wallace David Penasa
On April 14 Steve Welch and I attempted to observe NM Ranks 2nd in State Departments of an occultation of a star by the asteroid Virtus (494). Transportation Ratings for Roadway Lighting The attempt was unsuccessful because the occultation occurred when the sun was just 8 degrees below Excerpt from April 11, 2007, IDA Press Release: the western horizon and the star was mag 11.2, very “The 2007 International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) difficult. The star was finally located some eight recently announced its top rated state transportation minutes after the event. Some visiting Cub Scouts departments for highway lighting. The State of watched the failed attempt. California DOT was top rated. Second place rating was given to New Mexico, followed by Texas, Colorado, and Asteroid occultation prediction software is now Arizona, respectively. These five state Departments operational so we can predict local events including an of Transportation have done a good job of controlling estimate of the probability of occurrence. Shoot me an glare, limiting light trespass, and conserving energy. e-mail at wcwallace2@comcast.net if you would like With glare controlled, public safety would be enhanced. some predictions. Give me your Lat/Long coordinates. In addition, all roadways are not lit by default. A tight warranting program determines when lighting is needed Clear skies! and when it not. Typically, intersections and ramps are lit when traffic densities are sufficient. Contact: Lee Karalis, IDA, 3225 N. First Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719- In Praise of Trailblazers, continued from page 1 2103, (520) 293-3198, [email protected].”
adequate for grading. The amount of detail work we do, as 2007 National-Dark Sky Week Celebration well as how many segments of the route we can complete, will be determined by overall project funding. Excerpt from IDA Press Release: “Observance of the We are seeking outside funding to raise additional cash. In the fifth annual National Dark-Sky Week will take place meantime, if you have not yet contributed, your support would April 17-24. Founded in 2003 by Jennifer Barlow, the be most welcome. Members who regularly use the observatory, event highlights concern for increasing light pollution members who have stopped going to the observatory because – the ‘glow’ from outdoor lights that washes out the of the road condition, and members who have complained to stars in the night sky. Endorsed by the International me about the road (you know who you are!) are especially Dark-Sky Association, American Astronomical Society, encouraged to contribute. and the Astronomical League, event participation grows Make checks payable to Jerry Rogers Rock Company. As each year as the public becomes more aware of light project treasurer, I am collecting and recording all payments. pollution and its effects on our everyday lives and the If you prefer to contribute sweat to the cause, you can volunteer environment. for a road work party, tentatively scheduled for some time in May. We will stretch our project dollars by removing about 20 “National Dark-Sky Week seeks to deter light pollution mesquite bushes from the proposed new route in advance of grading. by encouraging better overall outdoor lighting practices. Simply turning off unnecessary lighting for one week To mail a check to me, sign up for the work party notification is only a temporary solution. National Dark-Sky Week list or ask any questions about the project, please contact me seeks to educate the public about lighting fixtures that at 261-0040 or [email protected], or flag me down at help reduce light pollution by focusing light downward club events. Thank you for helping to blaze a new trail for the instead of up into the sky. Contact: Jennifer Barlow, membership! National Dark-Sky Week Foundation, jeb2bt@virginia. edu, (434) 297-8142, www.ndsw.org.”
Page The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times May 2007 TAAS Reports & Notices Monthly Membership Report Note from Treasurer Location, Location, Location (March 2007) Clarification of New Member and • Chaco Canyon• Renewal Policy 6185’ elevation Membership Current Past Change Renewal notices will be mailed out Latitude Longitude Month Month 1 month before expiration date. 36˚ 01’ 50”N 107˚ 54’ 36”W Renewals and new members will be dated on the first of next month no 36.03˚ -107.91˚ Regular 203 194 9 36˚ 1.83’ -107˚ 54.60’ Family 78 77 1 matter when during the month they arrive. This will help with the database Educational 7 7 0 reports and queries. • Oak Flat• Total Paid 288 278 10 There will also be no grace period 7680’ elevation Honorary 7 7 0 for renewals. Please make sure that Latitude Longitude Complimentary 34 34 0 you send in renewal information 34˚ 59’ 48”N 106˚ 19’ 17”W Total Members 329 319 10 and your check before the expiration date. Renewal of magazines and new 34.99˚ -106.32˚ subscriptions will be sent in twice 34˚ 59.80’ -106˚ 19.28’ a month. All checks are to be made Donations to TAAS out to “TAAS”. Thank you for your • UNM Campus Observatory• attention to this important issue. If 5180’ elevaton General: John Chase, David Martin you have any questions or special Latitude Longitude needs pertaining to membership and/ 35˚ 5’ 29”N 106˚ 37’ 17”W or magazine subscriptions, contact Education: Georgia O’Keeffe School the Treasurer, Dan Clark at treasurer@ 35.09˚ -106.62˚ taas.org. 35˚ 5.48’ -106˚ 37.29’ GNTO: Barney Fuller, To convert from Degrees, Minutes, David Martin W e l c o m e t o N e w T A A S Seconds: Divide seconds by 60, then add minutes, Dark Sky: Barney Fuller, M e m b e r s then divide by 60 again. David Martin For security reasons, GNTO location is available by request only, so please Special Projects Elesha Fertow contact Pete Eschman for GNTO information. Courtesy Pete Eschman Science Fair: Accent Windows Connie and David Martin Membership Services Thomas Miller Cosmic Carnival: Jewel Karpel, for: Steve Welch and Penelope Boston, Charles Mullen •Membership Inquiries Complex Systems •Events Information Robert Williams •Volunteer Opportunities Contact Beverly Firth at [email protected] Editor’s Note for: Please note that the deadline for the June •Membership Dues Donors to Trailblazers road project 2007 issue of the Sidereal Times will be Friday, •Magazine Subscriptions on page 1. June 15. Please submit text as an attachment, •Address/e-mail changes preferably in Microsoft Word. Please attach photos or illustrations separately. The e-mail Contact Dan Clark at address for the newsletter editor is editor@ [email protected] taas.org. P.O. Box 50581 Albuquerque, NM
Page The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times May 2007 M a y 2 0 0 7 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 ATM Meeting Officers TAAS General Meeting Meeting
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 GNTO Training
13 14 15 Duranes 16 17 18 19 GNTO NM Elementary Observing. School Star Chaco Canyon Party Star Party
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Oak Flat Star Party
27 28 29 30 31 Board Meeting
Educational Outreach Shannon Mann
Duranes Elementary School Star Party Tuesday, May 15
This will be our last school star party of the school year so please plan on making this one! The school is located t 2436 Zickert Road NW in the North Valley just north of I-40. The event will run from 7-9 p.m. with sunset occurring at 8:03 p.m. MDT. Please plan on arriving closer to 7 p.m. as we will need time to eat, set up, and prepare for the student onslaught. We will need telescope volunteers as well as indoor docents. Please contact me for further information at [email protected].
Event location map at http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=2436+Zickert+Road+NW+ +Albuquerque,+NM+87104&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.426353,58.095703&layer=&ie =UTF8&z=15&ll=35.114327,-106.673942&spn=0.015832,0.028367&om=0
Page The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times May 2007 J u n e 2 0 0 7 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ATM Meeting GNTO Oak Flat Committee Star Party
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Sidereal GNTO NM Times Observing Deadline
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Officers TAAS General Meeting Meeting
N o t e s TAAS General Meeting TAAS = The Albuquerque Astronomical Society. Hotline 254-TAAS (8227). Saturday, May 5, 2007 GNTO = General Nathan Twining Obs. GNTO Training = GNTO Observing and 7:00 P.M. Training . GNTO NM=New Moon Premium Observing Regener Hall Night University of New Mexico UNM = University of New Mexico (See map, back page) Observatory. Call the TAAS hotline @254- 8227, or the UNM hotline @ 277-1446 to Supernovae and Revolutions in Astronomy- confirm, or [email protected]. A Historic and Personal Journey ATM = Amateur Telescope Making. Call Michael Pendley for information @ 296- 0549, or [email protected]. Dr. T. Justin Bronder P & A = UNM Physics and Astronomy. Corner of Lomas and Yale.
= School Star Party.
Page The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times May 2007
Minutes of the Officers Meeting Tom Graham
TAAS Officers MEETING Treasurer’s Report: Account balances (as of the end of December): Flying Star Restaurant, 10700 Corrales Road General Fund: $ 5,114.53 April 5, 2007 GNTO Fund: $ 6,644.98 Education Fund: $ 3,114.55 MEETING MINUTES Dark Sky Fund: $ 849.31 Special Projects Fund: $ 5,310.18 Officers present: Sy Santos (President), Judy Stanley Science Fair Fund: $ 400.00 (Vice President), Tom Graham (Secretary), Dan Clark Cosmic Carnival: $ 450.00 (Treasurer), Larry Cash (Board Member/calendar Total Funds on Deposit: $21,883.55 coordinator) Total membership count (all categories): 329 Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. Committee Reports: No new correspondence. All committee reports Corrections to the March Minutes: None to report. will be published in the Sidereal Times (Note: All committee chairs will send their reports directly to the Newsletter Editor, Gary Cooper, at [email protected].) New Business: Three adjustments were made to the calendar. Old Business: None Correspondence: No new correspondence. Meeting adjourned at 7:54 pm.
General Meeting and Program News, continued from page 2
Exeter College. In the autumn of 2006 he was awarded Stanley 269-4833. TAAS Officers and Board Members a Ph.D. from Oxford for his thesis work on Type Ia will be contacting the membership in the weeks to supernovae and cosmology. He is now a research come regarding some of the positions mentioned physicist in the field of fiber optic lasers for Air Force above. We would love to hear from YOU! Research Labs at Kirtland AFB. He and his wife are thoroughly enjoying the sunshine in the Land of Future of LodeStar Astronomy Center Unclear Enchantment after many years in the charming, As many of you may know, I am the educator for the though rainy, United Kingdom. LodeStar Astronomy Center, a community outreach project of the University of New Mexico. Unfortunately A Call to Service! UNM has decided to turn the Astronomy Center over As TAAS Members you may or may not know that to the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and the TAAS Board of Directors is always looking for Science effective June 30. The details are still being members who wish to be more involved with the worked out even at this late date. I will keep you business and service side of TAAS. If you have been posted. There has been no word concerning future considering becoming more involved, or if you have a plans for the Astronomy Center from either the desire to insert your own contributions/program ideas, museum or UNM. and/or if you would like to serve as a Board Member, Committee Chair, or Officer, please contact Judy This means the future of astronomy education in New continued on following page
Page The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times May 2007
GNTO News & Views, continued from page 3 GNTO committee meetings are open to any interested TAAS members, and they provide a great way to get more such phenomena is a core function of our recently formed involved with your observatory. We need your help. TAAS Asteroid SIG. Steve Welch and Bill Wallace did Our next scheduled meetings are April 26 and June 7. have a very successful Pluto occultation of a background We meet every other month at 6:30 p.m. at JB’s Restaurant star on March 17, and I understand they are working on Eubank just north of I-40. If you have questions about to finalize and report their results. In conjunction GNTO, please contact me (Peter Eschman, gnto@taas. with other observers, GNTO data will help to establish org, phone 873-1517). Pluto’s precise orbit and atmospheric conditions. See the Asteroid SIG report elsewhere in this issue. I hope to see you soon at your observatory. Scheduled events for May include Training and observing on May 12 and a “New Moon” observing Cosmic Carnival, continued from page 1 session on May 19. Sundown on May 12 is at 8:01 p.m., so “Introduction to GNTO and the Isengard Telescope” observation designed to promote the joy of astronomy to begins at 7:45 p.m. May 19 is also scheduled as a Chaco the general public. Cosmic Carnival was presented through event, so GNTO will offer a closer option for those who a partnership of the City of Albuquerque’s Fiestas de do not want to drive to Chaco. Our only scheduled event Albuquerque, Explora!, LodeStar Astronomy Center, National for June is a “New Moon” observing session on June 16. Atomic Museum, New Mexico Museum of Natural History and When sky conditions are favorable, Steve Welch will have Science, Rio Grande Astronomical Society, The Albuquerque our CCD imaging equipment ready in our 10-foot dome Astronomical Society, The Albuquerque Museum of Art and for all events. If you are interested in CCD imaging, History, and the University of New Mexico’s Department of please check with Steve. Physics and Astronomy.
The comfortable Robert Ortega Building is open for all Alan Hale with scope at Cosmic Carnival tent. events. Our Guest Trailer is available for coffee, hot Photo by Melissa Kirk chocolate, and any snacks you might want to share. We’ve got a bunch of great equipment waiting for you at GNTO, so plan your trip to GNTO soon. Why wait?
General Meeting and Program News, continued from page 8
Mexico may be in jeopardy. As we are the largest Skies” I see New Mexico and TAAS as the leaders in astronomy society in the state, I know the public will Astronomy Outreach Education. be counting on TAAS to keep our telescopes pointed The article in the March/April 2007 edition of Night up and the invitation open for all to “take a look.” Sky magazine entitled “Dome, Sweet Dome” by Alan Dyer details the importance of astronomy Requests for astronomy outreach programs pour centers around the United States as the “hub” for the into my office each week. It is my goal to keep the astronomy community. It would be a great loss to the existing astronomy education programs operating astronomy community to lose our astronomy center whether through TAAS’ outreach program, “Box of altogether. Stars,” or through the many astronomy organizations, professional and amateur astronomers, and the Although I have no concrete information to share, I astronomy community at large. write this to inform you of this development and of my goal to keep the astronomy outreach programs in At this time no one knows how this situation will place. work itself out. However, it is clear, based on the number of requests I get each week for astronomy Sincerely and respectfully submitted by your humble outreach programs, that there is a need and a desire Vice President 2007, for such programs to continue! In the “Golden Age of Astronomy” in the “Land of Enchanted Dark Judy Stanley
Page The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times May 2007 Advertisers
TAAS Sky Quality Meter
TAAS has a Unihedron Sky Quality Meter available for use by members. You can borrow this meter from David Penasa at (505) 277-1141 (W) or (505) 275-2480(H). The SQM may be reserved on a first come, first served basis for durations up to one week. Compare the sky brightness at your favorite viewing site with other sites. TAAS events such as school star parties, Messier SIG, and GNTO take priority. The following links give information on checkout and operating procedures for our SQM. Free Telescope Offer http://www.taas.org/download/SQMCheck- What’s that? Did you say Free? That’s right Out.pdf FREE! http://www.taas.org/download/ Any TAAS member can use this coupon to SQMDataSheet.pdf borrow a TAAS telescope. http://www.taas.org/download/SQMUsage. Contact Dale Murray at telescope_loans@taas. pdf org or 296-2479 and receive a loaner telescope absolutely free. You can choose from scopes with apertures ranging from 6” to 13”. Some restrictions apply. Offer valid for current CCD Camera for Sale TAAS members. Offer is first For Sale: SBIG ST-7 CCD camera come first served. Late comers will be put on a Parallel port model waiting list. Includes 12V and 110AC power adaptors, 1.25” and 2” nose pieces, case, manuals Neither TAAS nor the telescope curators will be held liable for any Make me an offer. [email protected] lost sleep or other problems arising from the use of TAAS scopes. Borrowers are required to enjoy the telescopes.
Page 10 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society The Sidereal Times May 2007 2007 TAAS Board of Directors/Staff
Sy Santos Judy Stanley President Vice President / General Meeting Coordinator
[email protected] [email protected] 890-1982 (H) 269-4833 (H) Tom Graham Dan Clark Secretary Treasurer
[email protected] [email protected] 897-9034 (H) 771-4346 (H) Pete Eschman Larry Cash Director / Observatory Director Director / Events Coordinator
[email protected] [email protected] 873-1517 (H) 299-4686 (H) Richard Fate Bill Firth Director Director
293-2131 (H) 899-0950 Dee Friesen Patricia Rose Director Director
856-1593 (H) 268-3747 (H) Bill Wallace Steve Welch Director Director
864-8212 866-7668 (H)
Archivist Pat Appel 292-0463(H) [email protected] ATM Coordinator Ray Collins 344-9686(H) [email protected] ATM Coordinator Michael Pendley 296-0549(H) [email protected] Dark Sky Coordinator David Penasa 277-1141(W) [email protected] Education Coordinator Shannon Mann 771-0126 (H) [email protected] Grants Coordinator Barry Spletzer 294-4601(H) [email protected] Librarian Bob Hufnagel 890-8122(H) [email protected] Membership Coordinator Beverly Firth 899-0950(H) [email protected] Newsletter Editor Gary Cooper 321-5404(H) [email protected] Public Relations Officer Melissa Kirk 385-0113 [email protected] Telescope Curator Dale Murray 296-2479(H) [email protected] UNM Observatory Coordinator Brock Parker [email protected] Web Master Alan Scott 864-4490(H) [email protected]
Page 11 The Official Newsletter of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society MEMBERSHIP: You may request a advertisements and business card size membership application by sending e- advertisements for businesses related TAAS on the World Wide Web: mail to [email protected] or calling to astronomy must be submitted by the http://www.taas.org (505) 254-TAAS(8227). Applications deadline shown on the Society calendar [email protected] may also be downloaded from the Web (generally the Saturday near the new Moon) Online Sidereal Times: site. Annual dues to The Albuquerque Rates for commercial ads (per issue) are www.taas.org/times/ Astronomical Society are $30/year for a full $120 per page, $60 per half page, $30 per Educational Outreach: membership and $15/year for a teacher or quarter page, $7 for business card size. The www.taas.org/education/ student (grades K-12). Additional family newsletter editor reserves the right to include Donations to TAAS: members may join for $5/each (teacher, and/or edit any article or advertisement. www.taas.org/donate/ student and family memberships are not E-mail attachments in Microsoft Word, Buy and Sell: eligible to vote on society matters). New 11 point Palatino, justified, no indent at www.taas.org/eq/ member information packets can be paragraph beginning, one space between TAAS Astronomy Links: downloaded from the website or requested paragraphs is preferred. ASCII and RTF are www.taas.org/links/ from the TAAS Membership Services acceptable. One column is approximately TAAS 200: Director at [email protected] You 350 words. Contact the Newsletter Editor at www.taas.org/taas200/ may send your dues by mail to our newsletter [email protected] for more information. return address with your check written out to The Albuquerque Astronomical Society CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Note that the Map to Regener Hall or give your check to the Treasurer at the Sidereal Times is mailed at a first class next meeting. mail rate. As a result, the newsletter may be (Not to scale) forwarded to your new address should you MLK MAGAZINES: Discount magazine move, or it may not !! Please provide the Ave Regener subscriptions to Sky and Telescope and Treasurer ([email protected]) with your Hall Astronomy as well as discounts on new mailing address or e-mail address to Popejoy books from Sky Publishing Corporation ensure that you receive your newsletter. Hall are available when purchased by TAAS members through our society. Include any TAAS LIBRARY: Please contact the of the above magazine renewal mailers Librarian at [email protected] or 890-8122 Parking and subscription payments as part of your to check out a book or make a contribution. renewal check. Make checks out to TAAS Ave University (we will combine and send one check to the Central Ave publisher). Warning: publishers take several months to process magazine subscriptions.
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